Trusting Your Body in Labour: Releasing Fear and Finding Momentum in Birth
In some East Asian traditions, the Year of the Fire Horse is associated with powerful momentum, independence, courage, and transformation. It is said to carry energy that cannot be contained; inviting movement, self-trust, and deep personal truth.
Whether or not you follow the lunar zodiac, the symbolism of the Fire Horse I feel, offers a compelling reflection for pregnancy, birth, and the transition into parenthood.
Because birth, much like fire, is not something we control.
It is something we learn to move with.
The Fear That Slows Us Down
Many expectant parents I’ve supported in my career, carry this underlying fear about what their bodies are capable of during labour.
Will I cope with the intensity?
Will my body know what to do?
What if I can’t handle the pain?
What if something goes wrong?
Our modern ideas of preparation for birth, often focuses on ‘managing the outcomes’ or controlling timelines, minimising discomfort, or anticipating complications. While informed decision-making is essential, this approach can sometimes leave us feeling as though birth is something happening to us, rather than something unfolding through us.
This is where the mind-body connection in pregnancy becomes vital.
Fear has a physiological impact. It can literally interrupt hormonal flow, increase tension in the muscles, and deeply influence how we interpret and perceive a sensation. In labour, I’ve seen how this tension can show up as a resistance to contractions, breath-holding, or a sense of disconnection from what the body is trying to do.
Momentum slows when we let fear take the lead.
The Wisdom of Letting Go
In The Wisdom of Insecurity, philosopher Alan Watts speaks about the human tendency to grasp for certainty in an inherently uncertain world.
He suggests that much of our anxiety comes from attempting to secure the future. To predict, manage, or control what has not yet happened.
Birth exists entirely in this space of uncertainty.
No labour unfolds in exactly the same way. No timeline can be guaranteed. No amount of planning can fully determine how the experience will feel moment to moment.
And yet, the body knows how to labour.
Letting go of control in labour does not mean abandoning knowledge or preparation. It means learning when to soften the mind’s need for certainty so the body’s instinctive processes can take over.
Just as fire spreads when given oxygen, labour often finds its rhythm when there is space for movement, breath, sound, and surrender.
Trusting the Body’s Momentum
Labour is not a recital or performance (so to speak).
It is a unique collaborative process, driven by hormonal feedback loops, muscular coordination, emotional safety, and neurological pathways. When a birthing person feels supported and unthreatened for instance, the body releases oxytocin and endorphins that help contractions work effectively and sensations become manageable.
Trusting your body in labour is not about bravery or tolerance.
It is about allowing momentum.
This may look like:
Following intuitive movement rather than staying still
Using breath or vocalisation without self-judgement
Resting deeply between those waves
Accepting shifts in intensity without panic
Each time fear softens, even slightly, the body has more room to do what it already knows how to do.
Intuitive Birth Support in a Culture of Control
Like we already mentioned and probably all know; we live in a culture that values certainty, productivity, and outcomes. It makes sense that many people approach birth wanting to plan every detail in advance.
But birth preparation mindset is not only about gathering information.
It is also about:
Building emotional resilience
Practising nervous system regulation
Releasing the belief that control equals safety
Understanding how fear can influence physical experience
With the right support, expectant parents can begin to reframe labour from something to endure into something to move through.
Like the Fire Horse, birth asks for forward motion — not force.
Momentum comes from trust, not tension.
Moving Forward Without Fear
The symbolism of the Fire Horse reminds us that transformation often requires movement through the unknown.
Pregnancy and birth are not simply physical events. They are psychological thresholds that invite us to reconsider what our bodies and minds are capable of when we are informed, supported, and willing to release fear.
Trust does not eliminate intensity.
But it can certainly (no pun intended) change how we meet it.
FAQs: Trusting Your Body in Labour
Q1. Can fear affect labour and birth?
Yes it can. Fear can influence how the body responds during labour by increasing muscular tension and interrupting the release of oxytocin. Emotional preparation for birth can help create a greater sense of safety, which supports more effective contractions/surges and coping techniques during labour.
Q2. How can I trust my body during labour?
Trust often comes through preparation and support. Learning about the mind-body connection in pregnancy, practising breathing techniques, and having continuous emotional support during labour can help you feel more confident in your body’s natural ability to give birth.
Q3. What is emotional preparation for labour?
Emotional preparation for labour involves understanding how thoughts, beliefs, and fears may impact your physical experience of birth. This might include nervous system regulation, relaxation techniques, mindset work, and antenatal education focused on building confidence.
Q4. Do I need a doula for emotional support during pregnancy?
While not essential, many families find that doula support provides reassurance, continuous encouragement, and practical guidance that helps reduce anxiety and build trust in the birth process throughout pregnancy and labour.
Q5. Can mindset really influence the birth experience?
Research into the mind-body connection suggests that emotional wellbeing and perceived safety can influence hormonal responses during labour. A calm and supported environment may help the body release endorphins and oxytocin more effectively.
You might also enjoy:
Matrescence: Becoming a Mother (and Wondering Who You Are Now) — Explore the profound emotional, hormonal, and identity shift that occurs as a woman becomes a mother or person becomes a parent.
“Why Hiring a Doula Can Transform Your Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum Experience” — A closer look at how continuous, compassionate support can shape your whole journey.
